Missing the Moon

Missing the Moon We're missing the moon this month,
cloud-swallowed most nights
although an occasional celestial yawn
allows a glimpse of the silver queen.

She's not distressed,
just waiting for June's ransom
to give back to her
the starry dominion storms took.

Then she'll sail unperturbed
from horizon to horizon,
slowing over Iowa
to gather fireflies in her gauzy net.

– Christine Vovakes